Colditz/Stalag escapee, how did he die?

I am trying to find out how Wing Commander Brian Paddon died in Rhodesia circa 1967? I cannot find an obituary for him, which is a surprise as he was famous for escaping Stalag XX. When back in the UK I have him flying again at the end of 1943 at RAF Helensburgh. His escape and RAF career are well documented.


robin bird researching the history of RAF Helensburgh/MAEE

 

Wiki (I know) states he died in 1967 in Rhodesia. His widow was still alive in 2007 at age 100 living in retirement home in Eastbourne.
Brian Paddon - Wikipedia
RAFCommands
a mention of him here Flt Lt Paul Royle, 'Great Escaper' - obituary

 

thanks for the feedback, The mystery is how he died, possibly a light plane crash? And, why no obituary

 

Despite exhaustive enquiries I have been unable to find an obituary for Brian Paddon (January 31, 2017). However I have just spoken with a woman who knew him at RAF Helensburgh. After escaping the POW camp Paddon flew flying boats and spent some time behind a desk Helensburgh. The phone rang and it was a resident from nearby Rhu complaining about the noise of low flying aircraft night and day. Paddon replied 'better than them being German!' and put the phone down.

 

No help to the original query, but still of some interest overall: 1969 | 3149 | Flight Archive

 

I have seen the Flight Archive article and his wife's birthday celebration story but just cannot find any obituary on him other than a passing reference. I write articles on the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, RAF Helensburgh, for the Helensburgh Heritage web site. So may be I will include an obit on Paddon, better late than never.

 

Has anyone a photograph of Paddon?

 

Apparently he had a cousin living in Tasmania during the war years who followed his career and exploits.

I see that he also gets mentioned in the Airey Neave book "They have their exits" - no chance of a photo in there?

 

Thanks for the feedback DaveB. At the end of the day I am surprised that Paddon had no obit, that I am aware of, a tribute would have included a photograph. My research into MAEE test pilots reflected that their operational careers before and after Helensburgh were quite often hairy to say the least. Same goes for the Norwegians who flew aircraft to Helensburgh.